New morgue will have escape mechanisms in case of premature placement

Oct. 26, 2012

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County staff visited the morgue in Columbia this week as they prepare to build one here in Greene County.

As they toured the facility, officials noticed an odd sign inside of the large drawers where bodies are kept.

In the case of — well — premature placement, there’s an escape mechanism and signing urging people inside the cold drawer to stay calm.

Officeholders discussed with surprise the need for the sign during a meeting Thursday. Those signs and release mechanisms apparently come standard, supplied by those who sell morgue equipment.

Commissioner Harold Bengsch, who previously worked in public health for decades, said the signs are common. He’s never heard of someone emerging from a morgue alive after presumed dead — and morgue officials said it’s never happened in Missouri — but he assumed it’s happened before.

“Could you imagine if you in there mopping the floors, and someone walks out?” he said.

“There wouldn’t even be time for a resignation letter, you’d just be out of there.”